Governor Chris Christie became an immediate sensation with his confrontational
style with voters and his obvious delight in taking on the unions.

He became the first Republican to be elected in the Democratic state of New Jersey for 12 years in 2009.

In a speech to Republicans in California and broadcast on c-span.org, the Governor of New Jersey denies that he will run for president in 2012

One of the largest top rank politicians in America, the contrast between Mr Christie and the slender, cerebral President Barack Obama could not be more stark.

Earlier this year, Mr Christie was taken to hospital after complaining of shortness of breath. This prompted questions about whether his weight - over 20 stone - might have been a factor.

Leaving the hospital, he responded to reporters with typical frankness: "I weigh too much because I eat too much. And I eat some bad things too."

He added: 'I think the weight exacerbates everything. The lighter I am, the healthier I'll be... I feel a pretty big sense of urgency [to lose weight]. It's one of the major struggles of my life. I'm working on it."

Mr Christie, 49, is married with four children. He was born in Newark and raised in Livingston, New Jersey. He took a law degree at the University of Delaware but has otherwise lived in New Jersey his whole life.

After becoming a law partner, he was appointed US Attorney for the District of New Jersey in 2002 and won praise for battling political corruption and corporate crime. He secured the convictions of over 130 public officials and did not lose a single case.